Author and Martina Navratilova at the US Open.

To some people, the prospect of undergoing physical therapy can seem daunting. It requires a commitment to health and wellness, whether one is recovering from an injury or surgery or contending with pesky musculoskeletal aches and pains. Physical therapy can be a lengthy proposition. It may be time-consuming, costly, and at times uncomfortable.

But in the hands of a skilled physical therapist (PT), improvements and functional gains result-sometimes immediately. And patients themselves play a vital role in the process. I admire and am inspired by patients who make their health and wellness a priority-arriving at my office invested and engaged in their recovery.